2020 – helmikuu, 二月, februari, luty, únor

February 2020 – helmikuu, 二月, februari, luty, únor

 

 

It’s Moses here this month. I have never seen so much water in all my life, But I am not going to dwell on the weather here, otherwise I will become very melancholy.

What is happening?

My sister Layla and I do not always see eye to eye (she has a big problem comprehending that ‘Top Cat’ refers only to the male of the species), but we do agree on working together to keep the human staff under the paw. And that means their needing to inform us about  the build status of the new Hazels.

We have been eavesdropping on various conversations to get some sort of handle about what is going on and when we are likely to move in. Specifically, when asked for a time estimate, SWhoMBO says “summer” and Mr Rod counters with “which year”. We have also heard various references to the leading question about expenditure always asked by Kevin McCloud on the Grand Designs programmes.  Mr Rod often laughingly contends that at least half the build spend is in the ground (really?)

So, being a very helpful sort of cat, I decided to find out for myself.

I just did not realise how much costs had escalated.

However, Mr Rod and SWhoMBO still seem to be smiling so I am sure it will all work out in the end!

Outside Progress

Not a vast amount to report on the outside this month.

Inside Progress

A very different story here.

At the beginning of the month piles of plaster board were delivered. As Layla is the one of us who is always hanging around inside (have we ever mentioned that she loves men and will do anything to make them notice her?) the new building , we decided that she could investigate the new arrivals.

It is rumoured that that this lovely metal step ladder is to be replaced.

There is now a new wooden ‘temporary’ staircase. We cannot understand it ourselves but it seems it is much easier for the humans to walk up and down with ‘stuff’!

Believe it or not, we have to put even more insulation on the inner outside walls and roof. This is to create an air-tight environment, which is then pressurised before holes are made. Hence, all the ‘green’ growing like mould everywhere.

February Postbag

As ever, we were so pleased to hear from all our contributors.  Thank you so much for your continuing enthusiasm and optimism for the Hazels project.

Puttenham Pal commented: “Well Layla!!! It looks as though they have mastered the underfloor heating….all warm and cosy. Can’t wait for the opening ceremony…..it looks pretty near the finishing line….good luck to all.”

Having read the paragraph about kitchen ‘discussions’ between Mr Rod and SWhoMBO  Fernhurst Filly was the first of many to make contact about the ‘magic’ tap: “Having had a Quooker for over a year now, I would certainly recommend it. However, I still can’t stop saying, “I’ll just go and put the kettle on” – which is just so last century!!” 

Hong Kong Buddy joined in the fun by sending some additional pictures of her beautiful new kitchen (seemingly getting lots of use since the appearance of the coronavirus):  “Forgot to mention that the installation of the hot/cold water filtration tap is a must-have for the kitchen. Imagine hot drinking water any time of day n night!”

Guildford Girl was quick off the mark to say “Layla (&co), It’s always a treat to receive your updates and note the progress on your master & mistress’ house. You do realise that since you three took over, Mr Rod & SWhoMBO have totally lost their ability to put pen to paper and write anything of significance? Just as well you’ve stepped up to the mark and raised the literary standard so admirably!”

We have also received further word from our feline friend Fitzroy (via the Francophile Friends).  He advises us that, with the increase of freelancers ‘working from home’, put-upon cats might be forced to share their work spaces with staff. These arrangements  make no sense whatsoever. Clever mousers work tirelessly to produce mission statement output from the keyboard such as “hhhhhhhhjjjjmmmmlrlrlrlrlrlrlrlbvbvbv” and “qwertyuiop{}asdfghjkl:zxcvbnm<>?” But the sum total of what humans are likely to do would be to use the computers’ tools to draft documents, draw graphs, grapple with typography or assemble images.  It is a strange world indeed!

The following update arrived from the Green Oak Groupies about their own Oakwrights construction in Esher:  “We are currently cabling and plumbing first fix inside and have the stud walls in place and the interesting ceilings. Next week we have lead man , flat roof man, hopefully render man and also hopefully they will be able to finish the roof to the main house. Also the satellite dish is going up and the flue for the stove going down. We are having a big push in the hopes the scaffolding can come down at the end of this month.
They are also doing the foundations for the garage and basement. They have a pump going 24/7. The base has been poured and I think the walls will be poured next week. They are coping with the appalling weather. There is never a dull moment.”

We were most impressed with the standard of the loo facilities for their workmen. Definitely quite a cut above the Porta loo offering at Hazels.

And even more fun is that this toilet has been twinned………………………………………..

 

Finally. we were absolutely delighted to hear news from the Sages of Englefield Green and receive some photos from their recent Sri Lankan holiday. But, by far our favourite snap is this one, which was clearly made for us!

SWhoMBO ‘Time Out’

Fortunately, it has not been all planning, measuring, trawling the internet and the like for SWhoMBO this month. At the beginning of February she took a Saturday off for a ‘Mother and Son’ day out with the Young Master. After a morning at the Picasso and Paper exhibition, they took a leisurely walk to Covent Garden to enjoy a relaxed lunch (and just a few glasses of wine) at a seafood restaurant.

 

Of course, we cats take a keen interest in all the post that arrives at Hazels. None more so than on 14th February. We could not quite believe that there was a sunflower on the Valentine’s card addressed to SWhoMBO. And to think we always believed the identity of the sender was supposed to be a big secret!

Looking Forward To March

 

We know there will be lots of craftsmen working away inside (and outside) the house during March. The windows and doors for the two ‘extension’ ends have been delayed until 4 March but these will make such a difference to the overall look of the building.

In the meantime, we are somewhat relieved to see that serious consideration is being given (at last) to our future means of entry to the new Hazels.

Finally, this should serve as a reminder when any thought is given to packing up………….

Freddie is now waiting patiently to bring you all the news next month.